I really enjoyed episode 5 and wonder how thick the previewers are due to the fact that this was a character driven, somewhat amusing, bottle episode. Filmed entirely on the set of the Enterprise and a park/wood somewhere playing the role of Starbase 1 was just the kind of mid-season palette cleanser required.
We get to focus a bit more on Una and get more hints towards Chief Kyle who seems to be being quietly set up as a new Chief O'Brien in which a deeper character is hinted towards without actually showing it entirely on screen which breaks the "show don't tell" rule pretty grossly... but also seems to work in the same way a workplace reputation can get out of hand. Which is an amusing realistic touch that I actually enjoyed.
La'an and Una going about doing the Star Trek Bingo which is something the "lower ranks" did to amuse themselves was a good team building exercise and them going about it so awkwardly as the pair of workaholics they are was pretty good.
But all of that? Was the actual B plot, which did surprise me.
No, our main plotline was Spock and T'Pring... in a fucking Freaky Friday rip off.
It was pretty good. I kind of like this slightly more "new" take on Vulcans who, while following the teachings of Surak have simply controlled emotions and are still capable of feeling them. We see a bit more of this philosophy in T'Pring's job and how she returns "lost vulcans" those who have rejected Sunak's teachings to the fold.
Pretty fun conclusion to this subplot, in which Spock (In T'pring's body) simply decks the bloke she's supposed to be bringing back. When Spock tells her and apologises she points out that Spock having met him, twatting him was the logical conclusion.
A nice primary plot in which two characters are allowed to grow and better undertand eachother. Not going to spoil the T'Pring (as Spock) subplot but it gives equal and welcome character growth.
We also get a C (ish) plot about Chapel in which is a bit blah. It's revealed she's kind of hookup culture thru and thru and Ortega spends most of her time eye fucking her but this goes nowhere as it turns out Chapel begins to have a thing for Spock. To the point Spock confides in her about the whole situation.
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Theeeeeeen we go onto, well, the next episode which I personal feel was the weakest and wobbliest.
TBH its barely worth covering aside from a planet of child-killers and Pike beds their equivalent of Hilary Clinton. Its the first episode I could honestly say "eh, miss it." aside from the mild development of M'Benga's character and the subplot with his daughter. Some OK acting, but nobody really stands out in this one.
This is the one thing I will say about SNW, it does remind me a little of DS9. It's got consistent plotlines weaving its way through which allows us to see how these characters tick and think, and the extra 15 minutes is being used properly and well, even if it means we're losing 3 episodes as a result.
